American Airlines to start offering direct flight from ABE to Chicago

Starting in April, you will be able to take a direct flight between Lehigh Valley International Airport and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport via American Airlines.

Starting in April, you will be able to take a direct flight between Lehigh Valley International Airport and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport via American Airlines. (Rodger Mallison / TNS)

Morning Call staff reports

Passengers taking off from Lehigh Valley International Airport will have the option next spring of taking American Airlines directly to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.

The nonstop service will begin in April 2019, the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority announced Friday.

At this time, the only airline offering a direct flight from Lehigh Valley International Airport is United, airport officials said.

American provides daily service to Charlotte, N.C., and Philadelphia. The airline has had solid growth this year with a 21 percent passenger increase compared to last year, authority officials said.

“We are very excited that American decided to expand their operation in the Lehigh Valley, as being able to offer this service twice a day gives air travelers another reason to choose the comfort and convenience of ABE,” said Thomas R. Stoudt, executive director of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.

Since last October, Lehigh Valley International Airport has posted 12 consecutive months of passenger increases due to air travelers taking advantage of more available seats in the market, he said.

Through September, Lehigh Valley International Airport provided air service to approximately 592,371 passengers, a 16 percent jump through the same time period last year.